Automatic light-activated portable mist sprayer device

ABSTRACT

A portable, light-activated, mist sprayer system comprising direct current power supply, an ambient light sensor, electronic circuitry that evaluates an electrical signal received from the light sensor to determine whether a “dusk” or “dawn” light condition exists; a container of treating fluid at a desired concentration; a motor and pump that are activated at the appropriate time as determined by the sensed light condition; at least one sprayer nozzle that will dispense a mist containing the treating fluid whenever the pump is operating; and a timer that turns off the pump after a preset interval to terminate the spraying cycle. A preferred utility for the system of the invention is spraying dilute solutions of insecticide or insect repellent during the periods of significant insect activity that typically occur around dusk and dawn. An RF receiving unit is also disclosed for optional activation using a remote transmitter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority from,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/970,778 as to all subject mattercontained in this application that was previously disclosed in saidparent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a portable device useful for spraying a fluidmist through a sprayer head to treat the atmosphere in a desiredlocation proximal to the device, and more particularly, to aself-contained, light-activated, pump-driven mist sprayer that initiatesa flow of treating fluid in response to a sensed ambient light conditionof desired intensity and duration. Once initiated, the flow of fluidmist through the sprayer desirably continues for an adjustable timeinterval. A preferred use of the system is for eradicating or repellingflying or crawling insects in locations remote from AC power outletsduring the periods of significant insect activity that typically occuraround dusk and dawn. An insect attractant, either alone or incombination with a pesticide, can also be dispensed using the subjectdevice.

2. Description of Related Art

Problems associated with the presence of mosquitoes and other flyinginsects are well known, particularly during summer months when peopletypically engage in many outdoor activities. People have longappreciated the dangers associated with mosquito-borne diseases such asmalaria and equine encephalitis. More recently, publicity associatedwith the West Nile virus in has heightened public awareness of dangersthat can be associated with mosquito bites. Additionally, people aregenerally aware of the pain, discomfort and potentially dangerousallergic reactions that can accompany the bites of various flying andcrawling insects encountered outdoors in either urban or rural areas.

Various chemical sprays and devices have previously been used to controlflying and crawling insects, spiders, and other such pests. Chemicalsprays containing environmentally acceptable concentrations ofinsecticides or pesticides have historically been applied usinghand-held sprayers, fogging machines, and the like. Such sprays aresometimes applied by governmental agencies in parks, residentialneighborhoods and other high-risk urban areas, but are most oftenapplied by individuals using hand-held sprayers in and around their ownhomes and yards. In more rural settings, sprayer systems have previouslybeen used to spray insecticides or pesticides in and around barns,livestock holding areas, and the like. Other devices that havepreviously been used to control insects and other pests haveincorporated a lure or an attractant, such as food baits, light,pheromones, or carbon dioxide, to draw the insects or pests to a trap,electrically energized grid, or poison.

Many of the prior art systems and devices for controlling insects andpests are operated directly by the user. Others are controlled by timersthat are preset to initiate their function at a particular time and fora particular interval. In some cases, the electrical energy required tooperate the devices, particularly those disposed in remote or ruralareas where electricity is not readily available, is obtained frombatteries or solar cells. U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,621, for example,discloses a pest control device for outdoor use comprising asolar-powered fan that enhances the circulation of odorous repellent tothe external ambient environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,873 discloses anagricultural implement for spraying herbicides on weeds that utilizes aphoto-detector circuit to avoid spraying the herbicide on bare soil. Thephoto-detector circuit is not affected by changes in ambient lightingconditions.

In the related parent application, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein, a system is disclosed that preferablycomprises an alternating current power source, ambient light sensor,electronic circuitry that evaluates an electrical signal received fromthe light sensor to determine whether a “dusk” or “dawn” light conditionexists; a container, reservoir or other source of treating fluid at adesired concentration; a pump that is activated at the appropriate timeas determined by the sensed light condition; at least one sprayer headand, preferably, an array of spaced-apart sprayer heads, each having anozzle that will dispense a mist containing the treating fluid wheneverthe pump is operating; flexible tubing or other conduits providing fluidcommunication between the fluid source and the sprayer heads; and atimer that turns off the pump after a preset interval to terminate thespraying cycle. The electronic control unit disclosed in the parentapplication comprises a light level discrimination module, a pumpcontrol module, a power supply module, a remote receiver module, andoptionally, a remote transmitter for activating the pump control module.

Various solar-powered devices have previously been disclosed thatutilize solar-powered batteries to store electrical energy duringdaylight hours for use in operating electric timers capable of turningone or more outdoor lights on and off daily and, in some cases, forpowering those lights. The use of photocells for activating ordeactivating a mechanical device upon receipt of light is also wellknown. Photocells are most often triggered by the impingement orinterruption of a directed light beam and not by ambient light. U.S.Pat. No. 6,756,758 discloses receiver circuits for detecting a targetlight source that effectively remove “noise,” including ambientdaylight, during the operation of such devices. Other devices have beendisclosed that turn one or more lights on or off in response topredetermined levels of ambient light.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,366 discloses a highly automated agriculturalproduction system comprising a weather sensor package used to measureweather conditions, including the sunlight energy spectrum, theintensity of which is measured using a plant growth photometer said tobe available from International Light, Inc. The system is said tooptionally include a fluid delivery system useful in controlling insectsand diseases, but is complex and not desirable for home use.

Mosquitoes, flies and other insects are most easily controlled when theyare most active, often during the time around sunrise and sunset. Theuse of timers alone to activate spraying or misting systems is ofteninadequate for initiating spraying at the onset of the relatively shortperiods when such pests are most active. Timers alone are not responsiveto variations in daylight hours, weather conditions and topography thatcan all affect ambient light levels and insect activity at a particulartime of day in a particular location.

Notwithstanding the systems and devices previously disclosed, a mistsprayer system is needed that is portable and does not require an ACpower source, that will activate automatically at dusk or dawn and sprayfor a preset interval, that can optionally be activated manually or byusing a remote transmitter, and that will be effective for eradicatingor repelling flying and crawling insects, spiders and the like fromoutdoor areas in which the system is deployed. A portable mist sprayersystem is also needed that can be easily inserted into any of a varietyof desired carrier devices, such as, for example, a simulated lamp,lantern or decorative torch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a portable, self-contained, mist sprayer systemthat preferably comprises a direct current power supply, an ambientlight sensor, electronic circuitry that evaluates an electrical signalreceived from the light sensor to determine whether a “dusk” or “dawn”light condition exists; a container of treating fluid at a desiredconcentration; a motor and pump that are activated at the appropriatetime as determined by the sensed light condition; at least one sprayernozzle that will dispense a mist containing the treating fluid wheneverthe pump is operating; flexible tubing or other conduits providing fluidcommunication between the fluid source and the pump inlet, and betweenthe pump outlet and the sprayer nozzle; and a timer that turns off thepump after a preset interval to terminate the spraying cycle. Accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic control unitcomprises a light level discrimination module, a pump control module,and optionally, a remote transmitter for activating the pump controlmodule.

One preferred application for the system is for spraying a mistcomprising a treating fluid useful for eradicating or repelling flyingor crawling insects such as mosquitoes, wasps, bees, spiders, and thelike, that may be injurious to humans or livestock. Examples of outdoorareas that can be serviced by the systems of the invention include, forexample, residential or commercial yard and patio areas, swimming pools,outdoor restaurants, horse and livestock barns, garbage dumpsters andcompactors, food processing plants, parks and picnic areas, boat houses,dog kennels, zoos, amusement parks, industrial sites, and the like.Systems of the invention can similarly be used for controlling insectsand the diseases they carry in vineyards, vegetable fields, orchards,greenhouses, nurseries and such, or for repelling dogs and wild animalssuch as foxes, squirrels, rabbits, and the like, that can become pestsin gardens or other restricted areas. The portable mist sprayer systemof the invention can desirably be installed and used in a variety ofdifferent carrier devices such as, for example, a torch, lamp orlantern.

The system of the invention can be easily, effectively and reliably usedto dispense a variety of treating fluids, most preferably liquids, butoptionally, gases or liquids containing dissolved, entrained orsuspended gaseous or powdered solid components. The treating fluids arepreferably dispensed as a mist, and are preferably selected from known,commercially available insecticides, pesticides, insect or pestrepellents, fungicides, biocides, and the like, and can optionallyinclude an attractant component as a lure. It will also be appreciatedupon reading the disclosure that the subject system can likewise be usedfor dispensing other treating fluids “on demand” including, for example,liquid fertilizers, air fresheners, cooling water, and the like, and attimes other than dusk and dawn.

The system of the invention replaces standard timers or programmedcontrollers previously used in automated dispensing systems, and,because the dispensing cycles are triggered by prevailing ambient lightlevels, will typically operate only during the times when flying andcrawling insects and pests are most active. By automatically initiatingchemical treating for defined intervals during the periods of greatestinsect activity, the user is able to reduce the amount of treating fluidrequired, and to thereby achieve better results at lower cost. Thesystem is automatically responsive to use in various time zones andtopographies, and will automatically adapt to the lengthening andshortening daylight hours that are normally associated with seasonalchanges. In addition to having an automatic light-activated capabilityunlike that of other known portable sprayer systems and devices, themist sprayer system of the invention can also be activated manually orby using a wireless remote transmitter if desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The apparatus of the invention is further described and explained inrelation to the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a simulated torch having a preferredembodiment of the portable, light-activated mist sprayer system of theinvention installed in it;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevation view of the upper portion of theportable light-activated mist sprayer system of the invention asinstalled in the simulated torch carrier device, with the portable mistsprayer system also being depicted in dashed outline as it would appearif removed from the torch carrier device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation view, partially in cross-sectionand partially broken away, of the portable, light-activated mist sprayersystem of FIG. 2, with the door opened;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the portable, light-activated mist sprayersystem of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the portable, light-activated mistsprayer system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front elevation view, partially broken away,taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a simplified front elevation view of an alternative (round)lantern carrier device with the portable, light-activated mist sprayersystem of the invention installed in it;

FIG. 8 is a simplified front elevation view of an alternative(hurricane) lantern carrier device with the portable, light-activatedmist sprayer system of the invention installed in it; and

FIG. 9 is a simplified flowchart illustrating diagrammatically thevarious components and logic implemented in a preferred electroniccontrol unit suitable for use in the light-activated mist sprayer systemof the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a simulated tiki torch 10 is depicted that furthercomprises an upright shaft portion 12 inserted into ground 14 and havingattached to its top a basket portion 18 supporting a portable,light-activated mist sprayer system 16 of the invention. Simulated tikitorch 10 is one of many different types of carrier portable devices thatcan be used as a stand to support portable, light-activated mist sprayersystem 16. Referring to FIG. 2, portable, light-activated mist sprayersystem 16 is again depicted in solid outline as installed in the top ofbasket 18 over shaft portion 12, and is also depicted in dashed outlineas it would appear if removed from basket 18.

FIGS. 3-6 depict in greater detail the construction and internal andexternal elements of a preferred portable, light-activated mist sprayersystem 16 of the invention. Mist sprayer system 16 has an upper portioncomprising a mist sprayer assembly and a lower portion comprising bottle20 that preferably threads into engagement with the underside of frame24 of the sprayer assembly. Referring to FIG. 3, the mist sprayerassembly further comprises as principal elements frame 24, ring 32,collar 40, rotatable dome 62, printed circuit board 76, batteries 46,pump 48, motor 50, pump inlet line 52, pump outlet 54 and outlet line56, spray nozzle 58, switch 70, RF receiver 72 and light sensor 74. Bail44 is attached to collar 40 for use in lifting and handling portablemist sprayer system 16.

Printed circuit board 76, pump 48 and motor 50 are all preferablymounted on frame 24. Ring 32 is desirably threaded onto the bottom offrame 24 and tightened using downwardly projecting, circumferentiallyspaced twist grips 34. Batteries 46, preferably four 1.5 volt cells, aredisposed in recesses at opposite sides of ring 32, and are contained inthat position by the interior walls of collar 40, which is threaded intoengagement with the upwardly extending portion of ring 32. Sealing rings36, 38 are provided in annular grooves on the outside of the lowerportion of frame 24 and on the outwardly facing surface of ring 32,respectively. Motor 50 is preferably a 6-volt DC motor with a gear boxdriving pump 48. Batteries 46, RF receiver 72 (for use with anassociated remote transmitter, not shown), switch 70 and light sensor 74(preferably a cadmium sulfide sensor) are each connected to printedcircuit board 76, although the wires and electrical connections are notall depicted in order to simplify the drawings. Dome 62 is preferablyrotatably mounted above pump 48 and motor 50 by means of a retainerflange 68 disposed beneath inclined dome base 64. Because dome 62 isrotatably mounted on inclined dome base 64, both the radial spraydirection and the vertical spray angle of spray nozzle 58 can beadjusted by rotating either dome 62 or the entire mist sprayer system16. An alternate position for spray nozzle 58 when it dome 62 is rotatedrelative to dome base 64 is shown in dashed outline in FIG. 3.Alternatively, more than one spray nozzle can be provided in mistsprayer system 16 provided that a suitable manifold or connector isprovided at pump outlet 54. A rubber washer 66 is desirably providedbetween dome 62 and dome base 64 to provide some frictional holdingforce between the underside of dome 62 and the top of dome base 64 asdome 62 is rotated relative to dome base 64. Rubber washer 66 resistsany rotational motion that might otherwise be imparted to dome 62 aspressurized spray is discharged through nozzle 58.

Container 20 is preferably a plastic or metal bottle, most preferablymade of high density polyethylene (“HDPE”), that desirably contains areplaceable liner bag 22 in which treatment fluid 30 is prepackaged. Bag22 is preferably flexible, and is most preferably made of metallizedplastic. Treatment fluid 30 is preferably a liquid capable of beingpumped through at least one spray nozzle 58 and into the surroundingair. Treatment fluid 30 can comprise a pesticide, insecticide, or otherliquid material that can be dispensed from mist sprayer system 16 toachieve a beneficial purpose. Although a liquid, which can be atomizedby spray nozzle 58, is preferred for use as treatment fluid 30,treatment fluid 30 can also be selected from gases, suspensions, andmixtures thereof. Where gas is used as treatment fluid 30, container 20can be pressurized and pump 48 and motor 50 can be replaced, forexample, by a suitable gas dispensing mechanism.

Pick-up tube 28 is preferably made of HDPE and desirably extendsdownwardly to a point near the internal bottom of replaceable bag 22inside container 20 to facilitate substantially complete utilization oftreatment fluid 30. Nipple 26 is threaded onto or otherwise attached toa similarly threaded neck at the top of bag 22. The top of pick-up tube28 is desirably in fluid communication through nipple 26 with flexibletubing 52, which is attached to the inlet of pump 48, as is more easilyseen in FIG. 6. The neck of bottle 20 is likewise provided with externalthreads or another similarly effective attachment device to permitbottle 20 to be releasably connected to the underside of frame 24.

FIG. 9 is a simplified flowchart illustrating diagrammatically thevarious components and logic implemented in a preferred electroniccontrol unit installed on printed circuit board 76 and suitable for usein the portable, light-activated mist sprayer system 16 of theinvention, although it will be appreciated that other similarlyeffective circuitry and components can likewise be used in implementingthe operational objectives of the system. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, inlight level discrimination section 100 of portable, light-activated mistsprayer system 16, an electrical signal received from light sensor 74(FIG. 1), a conventional, commercially available device, is receivedinto an optical coupler. The signal is then split and fed through twoparallel hysteresis detectors to insure that pump 48 is not activated bytransient signals attributable to stimuli other than a gradual darkeningor lightening of ambient light to a predetermined “trigger” level.So-called “dusk” and “dawn” discriminators then compare the signal beingreceived from light sensor 74 to predetermined signal values consistentwith “dusk” and “dawn” ambient light conditions.

Parallel nand gates receive the signals from the discriminators, andassuming that the pump start criteria have been met, signal pumpcontroller module 102 to start motor 50 and pump 48. Pump controllermodule 102 preferably comprises a misting duration selector, a mistingduration timer, and a DC pump controller. Three-way switch 70 isprovided for use in turning battery power to light sensor 74 and RFreceiver 72 of spray mister system 16 on or off. The third switchposition activates a test circuit that operates mist sprayer system 16for a preset interval such as about five seconds. When system 16 ispowered up, motor 50 and pump 48 can be activated either by light sensor74 or by an RF signal received from an optional remote transmitter, notshown. Ambient light sensor 74 is desirably positioned so that it is notblocked from receiving the prevailing ambient light by trees, overhangs,screening structures, or the like, although it is not necessary that itbe positioned to receive direct light from the sun or another lightsource. When positioning portable mist sprayer system 16 and lightsensor 74, care should also be given to avoiding locations where floodlights, car lights, or the like, are likely to impinge directly on thesensor, thereby impeding the ability of the sensor to monitor theprevailing ambient light conditions.

FIG. 7 depicts a simulated lantern 82 comprising portable,light-activated mist sprayer system 84 as described above installedinside a carrier device comprising round globe 86 supported by base 88.FIG. 8 similarly depicts a simulated hurricane lantern 90 comprisingportable, light-activated mist sprayer system 92 as described aboveinstalled inside a carrier device comprising protected cylindrical globe94 supported by base 96, or alternatively, suspended from extended bail98. It should be appreciated, however, that the simulated torch, lanternand hurricane lantern are simply two of many different types of portablecarrier devices into which the self-contained mist sprayer system asdisclosed herein can be inserted.

Although the use of batteries is disclosed herein as the electricalenergy source for the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will beappreciated that solar cells can also be use to power such portable,light-activated mist sprayer systems if desired.

Other alterations and modifications of the invention will likewisebecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading thisspecification in view of the accompanying drawings, and it is intendedthat the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by thebroadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventorsare legally entitled.

1. A portable fluid mist sprayer system comprising: a source of treatingfluid; an electrical power source; a pump for pressurizing the treatingfluid as needed to discharge the treating fluid at a predetermineddischarge pressure and flow rate; at least one spray nozzle configuredto receive the pressurized treating fluid and to discharge the treatingfluid in the form of a mist; at least one flow conduit providing fluidcommunication between the source and the at least one spray nozzle; anambient light sensor; an electronic control unit that initiates a flowof pressurized treating fluid to the at least one sprayer head inresponse to sensed ambient light of predetermined intensity andduration.
 2. The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 whereinthe treating fluid is selected from liquids, gases, suspensions, andmixtures thereof.
 3. The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 2wherein the treating fluid is selected from the group consisting ofinsecticide, pesticide, fungicide, biocide, insect repellent, water,air, or mixtures thereof.
 4. The portable fluid mist sprayer system ofclaim 2 wherein the treating fluid comprises an insect attractant. 5.The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 4 wherein the attractantis carbon dioxide gas.
 6. The portable fluid mist sprayer system ofclaim 1 wherein the electronic control module further comprises a lightlevel discrimination module, a pump controller module, and an RFreceiver.
 7. The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 6 whereinthe light level discrimination module comprises an optical coupler, ahysteresis detector, dusk and dawn timing discriminators, and a logicgate communicating with the pump control module.
 8. The portable fluidmist sprayer system of claim 6 wherein the pump control module comprisesa misting duration selector, a misting duration timer and a DC pumpcontroller.
 9. The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 whereinthe electrical power source is at least one battery.
 10. The portablefluid mist sprayer system of claim 6 wherein the electrical power sourceis a solar cell.
 11. The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 1further comprising a three-way switch with a test mode.
 12. The portablefluid mist sprayer system of claim 1 wherein the pump is activated inresponse to ambient light conditions as sensed by the ambient lightsensor.
 13. The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 10, furthercomprising a frame supporting a motor and pump, and a containersupplying treating fluid to the pump.
 14. The portable fluid mistsprayer system of claim 1, in combination with a portable carrier deviceinto which the fluid mist sprayer system is insertable.
 15. The portablefluid mist sprayer system of claim 10, further comprising a dome that isrotatable relative to the frame, with at least one spray nozzle disposedin the dome.
 16. The portable fluid mist sprayer system of claim 14wherein the carrier device is a simulated torch, lamp or lantern.